Finn McIlroy (7) from South Belfast recently received a life changing boost from the Energy for Children Charitable Trust, having successfully been awarded funding for a new trike to help with mobility.
Finn has Spina bifida which has impacted the function of his legs leaving him heavily reliant on a manual wheelchair for mobility. Finn’s mum, Ruth, applied to the Charity for funding to aid in Finn’s mobility and helping him participate in more active family and social activities.
The Charity awarded Finn a new specialist L’il Excelerator Handcycle, enabling Finn to enjoy independence and ride his trike to school and with his family through the park, improving his health and wellbeing.
Mum Ruth explains, “Finn is an independent boy and despite his condition, Finn has found ways to overcome life’s daily challenges. Finn is a happy boy who does not let his condition affect him however, with two able-bodied siblings, finding activities that the whole family can participate in can be difficult. We are a very active family and before receiving this funding from the Charity, Finn would have missed out on special family time.
“Finn had the opportunity of trying the trike with another Belfast charity and when we saw the smile on his face we just knew we had to get him a trike of his own. Finn is delighted with his trike and often doesn’t want to get out of it! Thanks to Energy for Children, we are now able to partake in outdoor activities together as a family without Finn missing out. We can’t thank Energy for Children enough for their support.”
Charity Trustee, Anne-Marie McClure said, “I’m delighted to see how much of a difference this trike has made to Finn’s life and the family as a whole. With Finn’s condition restricting him to a wheelchair, it’s great to see him now enjoying outside activities as every child should. This new sense of independence will greatly improve Finn’s health and wellbeing and, most importantly, provide the family with that all important bonding time which previously they missed out on.
“This is exactly why the Charity exists, to help local children like Finn who are most in need and I’m thrilled to see the positive impact it is having on the McIlroy family”, added Anne-Marie.
Energy for Children is an initiative of Phoenix Energy and the wider natural gas industry. The Charity was established in 2005 to provide financial support to groups and individuals that may slip through the net of the wider charity network.
Founded on the principle that ‘all monies raised go directly to local children and young people’, the Trust aims to reach deeper into the heart of local communities throughout Greater Belfast and beyond in order to really make a difference to disadvantaged children’s lives.
Since its formation, the trust has helped over 9,000 local children and every month continues to help those who need it most.
For more information on the Energy for Children Charitable Trust, visit www.phoenixgroupni.com/about-the-phoenix-group/corporate-responsibility/energy-for-children-charitable-trust/